Finding The Right Contractor Is Critically Important!

Finding The Right Remodeler Can Be A Challenge!

Finding the right person to remodel or add on to your home can be challenging. The contractor needs to be capable of performing the job, and needs to be the one who will really show up from start to finish and beyond. The more prepared and informed you are, the better your choice will be, and the more likely your contractor will meet your needs and expectations. You can arm yourself with information so that you can make an informed decision of which contractor to select.

All Contractors Are Not The Same

Remember that you will live with the results of your remodeling job for a long time. Picking a contractor based on the lowest price alone is not a good idea. Getting a great price for the wrong job, for work of lesser quality, for a contractor who won't complete the job, or worse, never show up, is of no use to you.

Looking at price alone does not take into account the value of the results you are buying. So how do you tell if the contractor is professional and will actually perform the right job to your satisfaction?

Choose A Licensed And Insured Contractor

Licensed: Call or write the Department of Consumer Protection to see whether the contractor is registered with the State of Connecticut. You can reach the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection by calling (860) 713-6110 or 1-800-842-2649. The contractor should be able to provide you with a copy of a current Certificate of Registration issued by the State of Connecticut.

Insured: Ask to see the contractor's certificate of insurance and make sure it is current. The contractor should carry general liability insurance as well as worker's compensation insurance.

Ask To See Samples Of The Contractor's Work

A reputable contractor will have pictures of his work available for you to look at, and may
even arrange for you to visit some of his recently remodeled homes.

Ask for references and contact them.

Choose A Contractor You Can Communicate With

Choosing a contractor you can talk to, and who really listens to you, is essential. The better you can communicate with your contractor, the more likely it is that you will get what you want.

Understand Your Contract

Having a written agreement that spells out the work to be done is important. Read your contract carefully. Does it include everything you want and everything you discussed with your contractor?

The contract should include the date the work is to begin and the date the work will be completed, and should be signed and dated by both you and the contractor. The contract should include a 3 day right to cancel.

Do Your Homework

The State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection has lots of information available on its website. You can Click Here for their main site or Click Here to find more on their home improvement section.